There is a good reason the Dolphins asked Justin Smiley not to show up for the offseason conditioning program when it began in late March: The team is concerned their left guard would blow out his already weakened right shoulder by merely lifting weights

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"I'm not sure where that whole thing is right now," Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said Friday

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Smiley's shoulder is shot. The Dolphins know it.

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The 2007 surgery apparently didn't go very well. Smiley, according to two sources, has lost strength in the shoulder over the past two years. He often struggles to lift his right arm over his head and has lost some of the punch and explosion generated at the shoulder.

Sounds like the brass overplayed there hand here. With Smiley shoulder as bad as it is, they should have taken what they could have got and moved on.

At this point, either take the 6th or 7th round pick you can get or let him go. He is obviously not in the team's plan.

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Sat May 01, 2010 8:44 am

Tonelantern

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Joined: Thu Jan 14, 2010 5:57 pmPosts: 30

Re: The sad tale of Justin Smiley's shoulder injury

What would that matter?

He never would have passed the physical.

Sat May 01, 2010 2:14 pm

Phins Rock

Phinfever Global Moderator

Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 11:28 amPosts: 7532Location: Massachusetts

Re: The sad tale of Justin Smiley's shoulder injury

That sucks. I feel bad for Smiley. He's had a lot of injuries on that shoulder though, and if it is shot beyond repair, could be the end of his career.

Good luck in your recovery Justin. I agree though that he has played his last game in a Dolphin uniform.

Sat May 01, 2010 2:26 pm

phinsfansc

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Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:14 pmPosts: 3700Location: Columbia, SC

Re: The sad tale of Justin Smiley's shoulder injury

Tonelantern wrote:

What would that matter?

He never would have passed the physical.

He may or may have not depending on the team and there physician. The point is, let Smiley go if he is not in your plans. If he indeed cannot pass a team physical, then you obviously cannot get a draft pick for him.

Let the man try to continue his career and you can get his contract off the book because it is an uncapped year.

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Sat May 01, 2010 3:32 pm

Rich

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Joined: Tue Jan 12, 2010 9:59 amPosts: 22180Location: Miami, FL

Re: The sad tale of Justin Smiley's shoulder injury

phinsfansc wrote:

and you can get his contract off the book because it is an uncapped year.

The window on that opportunity is by no means closed.

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Sat May 01, 2010 3:57 pm

phinsfansc

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Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 11:14 pmPosts: 3700Location: Columbia, SC

Re: The sad tale of Justin Smiley's shoulder injury

Rich wrote:

phinsfansc wrote:

and you can get his contract off the book because it is an uncapped year.

The window on that opportunity is by no means closed.

I know, but go ahead and let Smiley TRY to hook up with a team if he is not in your plans.

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Sat May 01, 2010 5:15 pm

wkloiber13

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Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 5:59 pmPosts: 5117

Re: The sad tale of Justin Smiley's shoulder injury

If Smiley truly is this bad off, then we need to let him go. But if he just needs more time to recover and rehab that shoulder, then give him the time and ask him to sign a cheaper contract. I think he could battle with Incognito for the starting left guard spot, and at the very least be a quality veteran backup. I agree with most of you guys that he's probably gone. But look on the bright side, we brought in two guys with real talent this year. We got Incognito in free agency, and we drafted Jerry. Those guys both have better than good chances of starting this year. Even with Smiley gone I think we have the best offensive line in the AFC East.

Sun May 02, 2010 11:44 pm

Flipper

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Joined: Tue Apr 27, 2010 4:40 pmPosts: 148

Re: The sad tale of Justin Smiley's shoulder injury

Omare Kelly was saying today that Smiley's shoulder is totally shot and the Fins feel he has nothnig left.

Tue May 04, 2010 6:55 pm

Phin

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Re: The sad tale of Justin Smiley's shoulder injury

phinsfansc wrote:

Sounds like the brass overplayed there hand here. With Smiley shoulder as bad as it is, they should have taken what they could have got and moved on.

At this point, either take the 6th or 7th round pick you can get or let him go. He is obviously not in the team's plan.

Your assuming they got ANY offer for him. Maybe no one is biting because other teams already know the guy might not play ball ever again.

Wed May 05, 2010 11:32 am

wkloiber13

Phinfever Legend

Joined: Sat Apr 17, 2010 5:59 pmPosts: 5117

Re: The sad tale of Justin Smiley's shoulder injury

Phin wrote:

phinsfansc wrote:

Sounds like the brass overplayed there hand here. With Smiley shoulder as bad as it is, they should have taken what they could have got and moved on.

At this point, either take the 6th or 7th round pick you can get or let him go. He is obviously not in the team's plan.

Your assuming they got ANY offer for him. Maybe no one is biting because other teams already know the guy might not play ball ever again.

Good point, Smiley might wind up being released by us and having to fight for a roster spot elsewhere this year. Sad story but the guy might never get back on the field as a starter from what it sounds like to me.